They're as classic as the LBD (Little Black Dress) — ruby-red lips.
Pair 'em together and, really, you don't need anything else for Valentine's Day. After all, the jewelry should come later.
To paint on the perfect pout, Peujon Nazifi — a makeup artist with Product By Maria Martin in La Encantada at East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue — offered these simple instructions. Nazifi showed us how to create a "holographic lip," which calls for dark liner, a lighter red lipstick and gold gloss.
Step 1. Start with lip liner. Nazifi used Smashbox's Deep Mauve ($14) to outline Monica Rivera's lips.
Liner is important because it "keeps the lipstick in place, so it doesn't bleed," Nazifi said.
If your lips are thinner, you might want to go just outside the lip line, suggested Nazifi.
People are also reading…
Step 2. Starting with the bottom lip, use light, feathery strokes to coat the lips with red. Nazifi's lipstick choice: Kevyn Aucoin The Expert Lip Tint in Poppia ($23), a sheer, true red.
Use the edge of the lipstick to get a precise line. Take extra care when coloring the cupid's bow on the top lip.
Step 3. Apply gold, shimmery gloss (here Stila's Lip Glaze in Vanilla, $22). Rub it on in the middle of the lips to "make lips hydrated and kissable," Nazifi said.
If you're going for fire-engine lips, keep the eye makeup neutral.
To make sure the red stays on your lips and not on your teeth, Nazifi suggests an old model trick: Rub a bit of of Vaseline on the front teeth.
Some products to try:
• CoverGirl's Outlast Lipstain works like a magic marker — you draw right on your lips. Look for it at drugstores. Suggested retail price is $7.29.
• TheBalm's Stainiac, $15 at Face Me, in Beauty Queen (it comes in two other colors) is a great choice for someone who's not ready to commit to a full-on red lip. "It's a stain. Once you put it on, it stays put," said Davina Salese. "Stainiac will give you that hint of color where it looks like you bit your lip."
